Watson clears up SA scrums

Because of some confusion, André Watson, South Africa's refereeing boss, has clarified the scrum procedures in South Africa which will differ from those applied in other countries.

Because of some confusion, André Watson, South Africa's refereeing boss, has clarified the scrum procedures in South Africa which will differ from those applied in other countries.

These procedures of engagement and post-engagement will not apply to Test matches, Super Rugby, Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup rugby, the first teams of clubs playing in their province's top league, and provincial rugby at Under-21, Under-20 and Under-19 levels. In those cases the IRB's laws will prevail and wheeling is permitted if legal, a wheel could produce a turnover if the wheel goes beyond 90 degrees. In these matches, too, both props are permitted to bind with their elbows lower than their shoulders.

The procedures differ according to age groups, which will fall into three categories - Under-9 and younger,11 to 16, Under-18 to club rugby, except for the 1st XVs of top league clubs.

For each group, there will be the referee's call for engagement, the type of contest allowed for the ball and what pushing is allowed.

Scrum pushing: Pushing allowed but for Under-19 and Under-18 rugby there is a maximum of 1,5 metres

In all other rugby from the level of super league club rugby (the highest tier of club rugby in each province) and up, including provincial adult representative age-group rugby (Under-19 and Under-21) and all professional rugby

Scrum call: Crouch - touch - set, as per IRB laws, which includes a full hit on Set.

Scrum contest: contest for the ball allowed.

Scrum push: Allowed

Please be advised of the following clarifications to certain sections in the 2013 Law Book:

P37 – Header to Paragraph 3.10 is duplicated on the page. The second header should read “3.11 Player wishing to re-join the match”.

P201 – 14.11 should read “the scrum may not wheel more than 45 degrees”.

P202 – 14.12: “90 degrees” should read “45 degrees”.

All other Laws as published in the 2013 IRB Law book apply and can be found online at www.sareferees.co.za.

Watson ends by saying: "I trust this information will assist you. For any further clarification, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us."